Manoj Badgeri and Chaitanya Marpakwar
Thane/Mumbai: Shiv Sena’s Ravindra Phatak, contesting as the Mahayuti candidate, and NCP (SP)’s Abhijit Pawar, representing the MVA, filed their nominations on Monday for the Thane and Palghar local authorities’ constituency election to the legislative council.
Background of the Seat
Last week, there was speculation that the Shinde-led Sena faction had approached Bahujan Vikas Aghadi’s (BVA) former MLA Kshitij Thakur with an offer for the Thane MLC seat, provided the BVA merged with the Sena. BVA chief Hitendra Thakur fueled these rumors by stating, “Aage aage dekho hota hai kya” (See what happens in the days to come). However, the deal reportedly did not materialize, leading the Sena to renominate Phatak.
Political Implications
Observers noted that the hard bargaining by Deputy Chief Minister Shinde for the seat in his stronghold yielded results, especially since the local BJP unit was pushing for the seat after losing the Thane Lok Sabha seat to the Sena in 2024. The nomination of Phatak reflects the ongoing political dynamics within the ruling coalition.
Candidate Profiles
- Ravindra Phatak: A seasoned Shiv Sena leader, Phatak has been renominated by the Mahayuti alliance. His candidacy is seen as a strategic move to retain influence in the Thane region.
- Abhijit Pawar: Representing the NCP (SP) and the MVA alliance, Pawar’s nomination underscores the opposition’s efforts to challenge the ruling coalition in the legislative council elections.
The election for the Thane and Palghar local authorities’ constituency is crucial for both alliances, as it will determine the balance of power in the legislative council. The filing of nominations marks the beginning of the electoral process, with campaigning expected to intensify in the coming days.
